Pune: The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against nine arrested accused in the Hadapsar and Dapodi liquor tragedy, in which 22 people died between May 26 and 28 this year.CID filed the chargesheet in the court designated under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on Wednesday.The court also issued proclamation orders against one of the suspects, and the CID has formed a team to trace him.The tragedy was caused by methanol-laced illicit liquor. Initially, the Hadapsar and Dapodi police had registered two FIRs. However, state govt later ordered the CID to take over the investigation.“We invoked the provisions of MCOCA against the arrested accused and wanted suspect. We have arrested nine suspects in the case, while one is still absconding. Our team is searching for him,” said additional director general of police (CID) Sunil Ramanand on Thursday.Ramanand said the investigation revealed that the illicit liquor was procured from accused Radheshyam Prajapati in Uruli Kanchan, mixed with methanol by accused Yogesh Ramchandra Vhankade alias Sikandar Rathod, and distributed through local sellers.“The investigation also revealed that methanol was procured from a company’s warehouse in Bhiwandi through an intermediary. CID subsequently raided the warehouse and the company’s office in Navi Mumbai and arrested the company owners, Arun Choubey (59) and his son Abhishek (34), for illegally supplying methanol,” he said.CID arrested all those involved in the supply chain and the illegal sale of methanol, he said.In Aug 2026, CID invoked MCOCA in the case. “The prime accused is Datta alias Bhau Londhe, who led the syndicate involved in manufacturing, transporting and selling of illicit liquor. Londhe has been arrested by CID,” Ramanand said.
